panic disorder

Neurochemists Identifying a Molecule of Panic

A panic attack is an anxiety disorder severe, where mental and physical symptoms seem to feed each other: heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, sweating, dizziness, and combine with a feeling of loss of self control, printing to be dying. If the biological and psychological origins of these crises are often difficult to unravel, it has been shown to be induced, both in humans and in animals by sodium lactate or inhalation of CO2. Drugs are available to the curb, but they are not without disadvantages (risk of dependency). A new study illustrates the role of this hormone in anxiety disorders, may open new therapeutic avenues.

A Swedish-US team has indeed found that certain molecules that inhibit the orexin (also called “hypocretin) could reduce panic behavior observed in rats selected to present these anxiety disorders. Philip Johnson (Indiana University) and colleagues also showed that activation of neurons that synthesize orexin is necessary for the onset of panic in these rats. Finally, they found that patients prone to anxiety panic showed concentrations of orexin in the cerebrospinal fluid higher than in a control group.

The orexin has been widely studied for its role in the awakening and its disorders: some dogs with narcolepsy have mutations of orexin receptors, while humans, the molecule is stimulating these receptors is lacking. Recently, a team led by Jian-Sheng Lin (Inserm Unit 628, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon) showed that mice manipulated to express not the orexin directly entered REM sleep and catalepsy. Regarding panic “Correlation is not causation”, Said Mr. Lin, who wonders whether orexin antagonists used by his colleagues simply do not cause drowsiness in animals.

“Instead, the treated rats and show more social interactions and increased exploratory behavior, which goes against the assumption of sedation”, Write Philip Johnson and colleagues. Antoine Pelissolo (Hospital de la Pitie-Salpetriere) said their study “preliminary, but serious, in an area where the tracks are quite limited therapeutic”.

Incoming search terms:

Symptoms of Anxiety Panic Disorder

Anxiety disorders differ from common anxiety expressed in different ways and through various symptoms:

* Overwhelming feelings of panic
* Uncontrollable obsessive thoughts
* Painful memories or nightmares
* Physical symptoms of anxiety such as digestive upset, heart palpitations, muscle tension, shortness of breath, feeling of “a ball” in the throat or dizziness, among others.

If anxiety disorders go untreated, it can lead people into avoiding situations that cause or worsen symptoms. People with anxiety disorders are more likely to suffer from depression and also may abuse alcohol and other drugs in an effort to relieve symptoms. The job performance and academic, personal relationships and quality of life, may also be affected.

There are different types of anxiety disorders

1. Panic disorder
2. Phobias
3. PTSD
4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
5. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Panic disorder: Due to the severity of symptoms, many people with panic disorder believe they are suffering a heart attack or other disease risk.

Phobias A phobia is an excessive and persistent fear of an object, situation or activity. These fears cause such distress that some people go to extremes to avoid what they fear. You can diagnose a person has a phobia only when their fear is so intense that it significantly interferes with normal daily activities.

Disorder Post-Traumatic Stress: The posttraumatic stress disorder occurs in people who have survived a severe or terrifying, whether physical or emotional. Those affected may have recurrent nightmares, intrusive thoughts or may even moments where the event seems to happen again. They feel extreme distress when in circumstances that recall the trauma, and go to extremes to avoid these situations.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Obsessions are recurrent intrusive, irrational thoughts. Cause great anxiety and can not be controlled by reason. Some common obsessions include preoccupations with dirt or germs, nagging doubts and the need to have things in a very particular order. To minimize these obsessions, many people suffering from obsessive-compulsive, repetitive behaviors or compulsions are very disruptive in daily life.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: People with generalized anxiety disorder suffer severe and ongoing tensions that interfere with daily functioning. They worry constantly and feel helpless to control these worries. Often, their concerns are focused on their job responsibilities, the health of your family or minor matters such as chores, car repairs or appointments. It is possible that these people have sleep problems; tension or muscle aches and feel tremors, weakness and frequent headaches. People with this disorder may be irritable and often have problems in order to consult and work efficiently.

The decision to seek help Read the rest of this entry

Incoming search terms: